Loose leaf binder



1N=VENTOR, Re flm/JMRgmM 2 Sheets-Sheet l R. M. RAYNOLDS LOOSE LEAFBINDER Filed Oct. 10, 1934- L 15, 19335. R. M. RAYNOLDS LOOSE LEAFBINDER Filed Oct. 10, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 15, 1935UNITED STATES AENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to looseleaf binders, and hasparticular reference to an improved and simplified post binder.

The present invention is designed primarily 5 for the purpose ofproviding a .binder which will removably accommodate a relatively largemass of looseleaf sheets; and, it is a general object of my invention toprovide a structure which is composed of a minimum of parts, simple andin- 10 expensive to manufacture, easy to use, and of an enhancedrigidity and firmness.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a binder whichcan be readily adjusted between a normal closed position, a partially 15extended position in which the pages are more readily accessible forreading or reference, and a completely extended and adjusted loadingposition.

A binder of the general type to which my in- 20 vention relates consistsessentially of a front and rear cover, a medial back, and a plurality ofposts adapted to extend through suitable marginal perforations in thesheets that are to be accommodated in the binder. The presentconstruction 25 is characterized by the provision of a pair of opposedU-shaped strips, a means for articulating each arm of one U to thecorresponding arm of the other, and a pair of slidably superposed backelements in permanent interengagement. The

30 base of each U carries a set of binder posts, and a hinge connectionpivotally associates the base of one U with the outer edge of one of theback elements, and the base of the other U with the outer edge of theother back element.

35 One of the particular features of the present invention lies inproviding a means for permanently interengaging one of the back elementswith the other, whereby the back elements are constrained to a guided,relative sliding movement in substantially a single plane at all times.

Another feature of my invention lies in the provision of a novel type oflatching arrangement for normally retaining the back elements in totallysuperposed or compacted relationship,

45 for permitting said elements to be latched in a partially extendedrelationship, and for permitting a complete relative extension of theback elements.

The present construction is further character- 50 ized by the fact thatthe back elements resume their normal totally superposed and latchedrelationship when the binder is adjusted into loading position.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other 55 objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is anexploded view of the U strips and the back elements entering into thepresent construction;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the binder, open, showing the parts in normalrelationship;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, showing the parts in partiallyextended relationship;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view takensubstantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially along the line 66 of Figure 2,with a sheaf of looseleaf sheets in position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the parts in partiallyextended position, corresponding to Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 7, showing a further extension ofthe parts preparatory to adjusting the structure into the relationshipof Figure 9, which shows the device in loading position.

One of the U-shaped strips entering into the present constructionconsists of the base It] and the arms H. The base carries a set ofbinder posts l2, the same being rigidly mounted on the base I0 andprojecting in a direction parallel to a the arms ll. Along one edge ofthe base Ill, a series of spaced piano hinge bearings I 3 is provided.In each of the arms H I provide a longitudinal slot M, the sameterminating at the outer end in a transverse portion I5.

The opposed U-shaped strip is substantially similar, having a base Itand arms IT. The base is provided with the series of spaced piano hingebearings l8, and carries the binder posts I9. These posts are not inalignment with the posts i 2 but are adapted to position themselves inalternate relationship to the latter. In the illustrated embodiment,there are three posts [2 and two posts l9, and the looseleaf sheetswhich the binder is intended to accommodate are each provided with fivesuitably spaced perforations, one for each of the binder posts.

The length of the base i6 is slightly greater than that of the base lil,so that when the two U strips are assembled in opposed relationship thearms ll will arrange themselves on the outside of the arms H, as shownmost clearly in Figures 2 and 3. Each of the arms ii carries an inwardlyprojecting pin 20 which, during assembly of the device, is caused toextend through spring 33 andthe pin 33.

the corresponding slot M, so that each pair of articulated arms H and His connected into a slidable and otherwise adjustable relationship, aswill be more fully explained hereinafter.

For a purpose hereinafter to be specified, it may be desirable toprovide each of the arms H, on its outside surface, and near its end,with a knob 2|.

The two back elements of the present structure are fiat, substantiallyrectangular strips 22 and 23. The outer edge of the element 22 isprovided with the spaced piano hinge bearings 24, constructed andarranged to align with the bearings I3, whereby a pivot pin may extendthrough the aligned bearings and thereby establish a hinged connectionbetween the U basethrough the aligned bearings, will establish a hingedconnection between theU base it and the outer edge of the back element23.

The lateral edges of the back'element 23 are doubled back uponthemselves, as shown at 26, for the purpose of slidably engaging aroundthe cor responding lateral edges of the back element 22. Any othersuitable or desired means may be pro- Vided for accomplishing thisslidable and guided interengagement of the back elements.

For purposes presently to be described, the inner edge of the backelement 22'is provided with the recess 2? and with'the upstandingpin 28near the inner end of the recess; and the back element 23 is providednear its outer edge with the upstanding pins 29 and 38.

When the parts are fully assembled and the backelements 22 and 23 areadjusted into their totally superposed relationship, the posts l2 and I9are all in parallel positions; as shown in Figure 2. A latch for keepingthe parts in this relationship is provided and may be composed, forexample, of the longitudinal strip 3| which is -mounted upon the pins 29by means of the slots 32. A tension spring 33, connected at one end tothe pin 3% on the back element 23, and con the position of Figure 2, inwhich the projection 35 is interposed in front of the pin 26. Thisprevents the back elements 22 and 23 from being slidabl adjustedrelative to each other. A'medial opening 35 in the strip 3| accommodatesthe The outer exposed end of the strip 3| is bent into the form of amanually graspable tab 36 which permits the strip 3| to be adjustedlongitudinally against the action of the spring 33. When this is done,the pin 28 is released, and the back elements may be extended into theposition of Figure 3, in which the pin 28 encounters the secondprojection 3? that is carried by the strip 3|. By engaging the tab 36and pulling the strip 3| against the action of the spring 33, the pin 28can be again released, permitting the back elements to be spread intotheir fully extended position, which is shown in Figure 8. In thisposition, the extension is limited by the engagement of the pins 28 withthe outer ends of the slots M. In restoring the back elements to theirnormal positions, the inner edge of the back element 22 slides freelyunder the turned-up end 33 of the strip 3|, and the pin 28 rides withoutobstruction over the inclined cam surfaces 39. During each encounterwith one of the cam surfaces 39, the strip 3| is automatically movedagainst the action of the spring 33, ultimately springing back into itsnormal position and latching the pin 28, as in Figure 3 or in Figure 2.5

The recess 21 is obviously for the purpose of permitting the pins 29and. 3|] to be accommodated in the assembly.

The binder construction is completed, as will be understood, by theattachment in any suitable 10 or desired manner of the front and rearcovers ii! and 4|. Preferably, each of these covers has a rigid endportion which is secured to the corresponding U base. For example, theportion 42 of the front cover may be glued or similarly at- 15 'tachedto the outer surface of the base I0, and

the portion 43 may be similarly attached to the outer surface of thebase i6. Flexible connections l i permit the covers of the binder to bespread, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, or to be 20 brought into parallelrelationship like the covers of a book. It will also be understood thatsuitable covering material, either integral with or independent of thecovers 40 and 4|, may be provided to extend around the piano hinges 25and/or over the exposed outer surfaces of the back elements. Suchadditional covering material has been omitted from the present drawingsbecause it forms no essential part of the present construction. 30

Assuming that the binder is empty and it is desired to load the same,the tab 36 is first manipulated with the finger to release the latchprojections 35 and 31; and by pulling the covers 40 and 4| apart theparts may be separated into the 35' ments 22 and 23 to slide into normalsuperposed 40 3 relationship, as shown in Figure 9. During this relativeclosure of the back elements, the latch projection 35 automaticallybecomes operative to retain the back elements in this closedrelationship. The pins 26 have in the meantime accom- 5 modatedthemselves within the slot portions l5, and a rigid and staunchtriangular relationship is established, as shown most clearly in Figure9, in which the binder posts l2 and I9 are in an opened and receptiveposition for the application thereto 50 of looseleaf sheets. The binderhaving been loaded, the tab 36 is again manipulated to release the latchprojection 35, and by thereupon pulling the covers of the device apartthe parts are restored into the extended position of Figure 8, in which55 the binder posts are in parallel relationship. The parts are thenpushed into mutual proximity to reestablish the normal boundrelationship of Figures 2 and 6, and. the binder automatically latchesitself into this normal condition. It is then ready so to be used in thesame way as an ordinary book would be used.

In the event that the binder is fully loaded it is sometimes desirable,in opening the same for reference or reading, to adjust the parts into 5the partially extended position of Figure 7. This is accomplished quitesimply by merely releasing the latch projection 35 and pulling thebinder covers apart until the pin 28 automatically comes into abutmentwith the latch projection 31. The 70 binder is thereafter restored toits normal position, as hereinbefore described, 1. e., by merelypressing the parts'toward each other.

It should'be noted that during all manipulations the back elements arein permanent interengagement and are constantly constrained to a slidingrelationship in a substantially single plane. By virtue of thisstructural and functional feature, the manufacture of the device isextremely simple and inexpensive, and the device as a whole proveseasier to use and is of enhanced staunchness and rigidity at all times.

It will be understood that the opposed U strips and the slidable backelements of the present device are preferably composed of metal, butthat the features of the invention do not necessarily require metal tobe employed where a similar rigid material is preferred.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a looseleafbinder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binder posts carried by thebase of each U, a pair of slidably superposed back elements, meanshinging the U bases to the outer edges of the back elements,respectively, and means articulating each of the arms of one U to thecorresponding arm of the other U to limit the pivotal movements of saidU strips.

2. In a looseleaf binder, a. pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, a pair of slidably superposed backelements, means permanently interengaging said back elements to guidethe relative sliding movements thereof, means hinging the U bases to theouter edges of the back elements, respectively, and means articulatingeach of the arms of one U to the corresponding arm of the other U tolimit the pivotal movements of said U strips.

3. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, a pair of slidably superposed backelements, means permanently interengaging said back elements to guidethe relative sliding movements thereof, releasable means for latchingsaid back elements in fully superposed relation, means hinging the Ubases to the outer edges of the back elements, respectively, and meansarticulating each of the arms of one U to the corresponding arm of theother U to limit the pivotal movements of said U strips.

4. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, means permanently articulating eachof the arms of one U to the corresponding arm of the other U andpermitting the arms of each articulated pair to be superposed, extendedinto alignment, or angularly adjusted out of alignment, 5

a pair of slidably superposed back elements, and means hinging the Ubases to the outer edges of the back elements, respectively.

5. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each. U, each of the arms of one U beingprovided with a longitudinal slot, each of the arms of the other U beingprovided with a pin slidably engaging in the slot of the correspondingarm, a pair of slidably superposed back elements, means permanentlyinterengaging said back elements to guide the relative sliding movementsthereof and constrain them to a common plane, and means hinging the Ubases to the outer edges of the back elements, respectively.

6. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, a pair of slidably superposed backelements, releasable means for latching said back elements in fullysuperposed relation and also in partially extended relation, meanshinging the U bases to the outer edges of the back elements,respectively, and means articulating each of the arms of one U to thecorresponding arm of the other U to limit the pivotal movements of saidU strips.

7. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, means permanently articulating eachof the arms of one U to the corresponding arm of the other U andpermitting the arms of each articulated pair to be superposed, extendedinto alignment, or angularly adjusted out of alignment, a pair ofslidably superposed back elements, means hinging the U bases to theouter edges of the back elements, respectively, and releasable means forlatching said back elements in fully superposed relation. I

8. In a looseleaf binder, a pair of opposed U strips, a set of binderposts carried by the base of each U, means permanently articulating eachof the arms of one U to the corresponding arm of the other U andpermitting the arms of each articulated pair to be superposed, extendedinto alignment, or angularly adjusted out of alignment, a pair ofslidably superposed back elements, means hinging the U bases to theouter edges of the back elements, respectively, and releasable means forlatching said back elements in fully superposed relation and also inpartially extended relation.

REGINALD M. RAYNOLDS.

